Fugitive Friday: Nov. 24

If you have information on these or any wanted fugitives, you can remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-TIPS.

We’re starting out our list this week with a Fort Myers mom with a documented history of drugs, violence and theft. Brittany Dortch is currently on the run after violating terms of her probation following an arrest for the possession of a controlled substance. Over the years, this 28-year-old felon has been jailed five times on multiple charges of grand theft, dealing in stolen property, larceny theft, fraud, battery and being a deadbeat parent. Dortch is 5’3”, 105 lbs., and was last known to be living in Dunbar. Detectives think she’s still in the area, possibly operating under the alias of Brittany Copeland. Upon her arrest, Dortch will be held without bond in the Lee County Jail.

In Collier County, deputies are on the hunt for Melody Garay, a colorful criminal wanted for violating her probation after an arrest for drug possession. To date, this 38-year-old fugitive has been jailed in Naples for a list of narcotics-related charges, including trafficking cocaine, the use of heroin and the possession of cocaine with the intent to sell. Garay was last known to be unemployed and moving around between the Golden Gate Estates area and North Naples. She is 5’4”, 153 lbs., with numerous tattoos and piercings, and bold hair color choices. Detectives say Garay, who has been on the run since early June, may be using the aliases of Melody Raymer or Melody Fernandez to avoid arrest.

Also on the run this week is Alejandro Mendoza-Carbajal, wanted for failing to show up for a court hearing after being arrested for the attempted second-degree murder of his former girlfriend. Late last year, the couple got into a heated argument over something as simple as a phone call. That fight quickly escalated, and Mendoza used a black shoe string type of material to strangle the woman. She said the rope was wrapped so tightly around her neck that she blacked out, only to awaken on the floor with a bloody nose and injuries to her neck. And to make matters worse, this whole incident occurred in the presence of the former couple’s 4-year-old. Mendoza was arrested that night and charged with attempted second-degree murder, but when a court hearing came up in June, Mendoza was a no show. This 35-year-old fugitive was last known to be living in Bonita Springs, and upon his arrest, he will be held without bond.

Rounding out our list this Black Friday is Richard Volo, a shady crook who took advantage of someone’s trust in a failed attempt to steal several thousand dollars. His latest crime stems from an incident in May when he was having dinner with a woman who was trying to mentor Volo and help him overcome his criminal mindset. When the woman stepped away from the table for a moment, Volo seized the opportunity to steal a check from her purse. The next day, he was caught redhanded trying to cash that check, which he made payable to himself in the amount of $5,000. A savvy teller noticed a discrepancy in the account holder's signature, flagged the check and verified that the check was, in fact, stolen. Volo was arrested for the crime and charged with grand theft and passing a bad check. In addition to those charges, this 24-year-old offender has also been jailed for hit-and-run with property damage, battery, resisting and battery on a law enforcement officer.

All information above from Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.

Most Popular Stories

2018-05-24T12:45:38Z2018-05-24T12:45:38ZWill it rain all Memorial Day Weekend? A tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico has an 80 percent chance of development over the next five days, meaning you may need to make some indoor plans.

2018-05-24T16:56:41Z2018-05-24T16:56:41ZA pickup truck driver ran into and seriously injured a 13-year-old boy on a bicycle on Thursday morning, closing down several lanes of a busy Cape Coral intersection shortly before the morning commute.

2018-05-23T13:01:40Z2018-05-23T13:01:39ZHorses come in all shapes, colors and sizes. From the Falabella miniature horse, to the tall British Shire. And just like horses that hold records for being the fastest, there's also a record set for the tallest and the shortest horse.

2018-05-24T14:31:30Z2018-05-24T14:31:30ZPresident Donald Trump will not meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un next month for what would have been a historic diplomatic summit, he announced in a letter to Kim released by the White House Thursday morning.

2018-05-23T12:50:02Z2018-05-23T12:50:02ZA 30-year-old man didn't get the message that it was time to move out of his parents' home, even after they left him five notices and an offer of cash to help find new digs.